'22 CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW - Central Section

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Sanger (New to Division 1)

After winning the program's first Central Section division championship since 1999 in last year's Division II final, there are four top varsity returners among that top seven who will be seeking to defend it in 2022. It will be something to watch and not just because of the familiarity of the runners and all that goes into working to win a title. Sanger has moved up to Division I this year, but in an interesting twist, the team they edged by one point, 33-34, to win the title, San Luis Obispo, has also moved up to Division I for the 2022-23 season. Sanger's returning runners, along with their places and times from the section final, are all seniors: Daniel Galvez, sixth, 15:55.33; Myles Nicacio, 11th, 16:21.79; Jared Borders, 13th, 16:48.63; and Jonathan Marcial, 17th, 17:13.61. 

Madera South (D-1)

The Stallions of the CMAC come into the 2022 season after a very productive 2021. Madera South won the CMAC league championship, and the Central Section's Division 1 title, finishing ahead of two TRAC league teams, Clovis West and Clovis North. Madera South returned to Woodward Park a few weeks later and finished 13th as a team in the CIF Division I State Championship meet.

Despite graduation losses, the Stallions appear poised to contend again with five returners among their seven who made up the core of their team. Each of these returners are seniors, so they have experience on their side, too. They are: Dylan Devine, sixth in the section final (15:44.11) and the first runner to cross the finish line at State in 37th place; Adrian Hipolito, 15th in the section final (16:07.28) and 86th at State; Isaac Chavez, 12th in section (15:57.99), 119th at State; Estevan Medina, 20th in section (16:12.68) and 105th at State; and Vidal Luna, 27th in section (16:28.38) and 169th at State.

Clovis Invitational

The 43rd ASIACS Clovis Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Woodward Park in Fresno. It should be a window into what could take place in mid-to-late November when the Central Section and State Championship meets occur. But this important meet gives all entrants in the state a true test for how they might stack up against a unique cross-section of teams, many of whom don't reside as close as so many Central Section teams do.

Last year's championship 5,000-meter race saw Newbury Park's nationally known runners claim the top four individual spots and five of the first 12. The top Central Section runner was Clovis' Christopher Caudillo. He was sixth in 15 minutes even. Though the next few Central Section runners were those who've graduated, a number of 2022 returners, should have the Clovis Invitational circled on their calendar. These runners include Carter Spradling of Clovis East who was 37th overall (15:42.90); Clovis West's Sam Dresick, 44th (15:49.90); Madera South's Dylan Devine, 46th (15:50.80); San Luis Obispo's Milo Skapinsky, 53rd (15:54.10); and Clovis West's Nathaniel Nodal, 70th (16:03.00).

TRAC Championship Meet

Five of the top 10 runners from the 2021 TRAC league finals return this fall. The league, which consists of Buchanan, Clovis West, Clovis, Clovis East, Central and Clovis North, will again be one to watch. The league final takes place Thursday, Nov. 10, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the famed Woodward Park course in Fresno.

The top TRAC league finals returners are Christopher Caudillo and Cole McNeal of Clovis, Carter Spradling of Clovis East, Sam Dresick and Nathaniel Nodal from Clovis West. Furthermore, 11 of the Top 25 runners are back and four of them were freshmen last year. The 2021 newcomers, all of whom are prepping for their sophomore campaigns in 2022 are Kaleb Chapa, 19th, Clovis West; Jordan Herrera, 22nd, Clovis East; Nico Palavicini, 23rd, Clovis West; and Max Jauregui, 25th, Buchanan. A fifth freshman, a 30th place finisher, was Clovis East's Mark McAleenan. 

Clovis North, the TRAC boys league champion, took third in the Division I Central Section title race behind champion Madera South and Clovis West. However, Clovis North was the top TRAC boys team at the State meet, finishing sixth. All Clovis North runners who scored at the postseason meets were graduating seniors. 

Champions Make Divisional Moves

When one sees the super close team score from the 2021 Division 2 Central Section meet, the first thought some have is they'd love to see it again. Let's hope there's a chance for Sanger and San Luis Obispo to battle it out again. The only difference is that if it happens, they'll do it in the Division 1 race, not D-2. Multiple teams have moved into new divisions this fall and a few of them were champions in their previous divisions. D-2 may have lost its defending champion and runner-up, but it now includes the top three teams from last year's Division 3 final, Tulare Western (champions), Bakersfield Frontier and Fresno Central. One more section winner, Yosemite in Division 4, has actually moved down, going to Division 5.

Top 10 Returning Central Section XC Boys

Clovis senior Chris Caudillo is one of three 2021 division champions in the Central Section returning for the '22 cross country season. (DeAnna Turner photo)

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Returning Boys from the '21 Central Section Finals

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

Division 4

Division 5